Method of and apparatus for feeding material



E. PUGH March 26, 1929.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FEEDING MATERIAL Filed Oct. 11, 1927 Wren/0r [ma/son Pugh k l m A),

' chine.

Patented Mar. 26, 1929.

UNITED STATES 1,706,741 PATENT OFFICE.

EMERSON PUGH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COM- PANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FEEDING MATERIAL.

Application filed OctoLer 11, 1927. Serial No. 225,590.

This invention relates to methods of and apparatus for feeding material, and more particularly to methods of and apparatus for feeding metallic stock in strip form to metal working machines.

The primary objects of the invention are to provide an eflicient method of and simple and durable apparatus for efiicientlyand accurately feeding materials.

In accordance with the general features of the invention one embodiment thereof by means of which the improved method may be effectively practiced includes a member for receiving a strip of metallic material provided with polyphase windings connected to a source of electrical current through a commutator operated in response to a machine to which the stock is to be fed. a Progressive magnetic fields produced by the current within the windings effect the accurate advancement of the stock to the machine and also cause the stock to be magnetically held in a fixed position during the operative working portion of the cycle of operation of the ma- Thus it will be observed that during each operative c cle the stock is released and magnetically a vanced so as to present successive portions of the stock to the machine.

These and other objects will be apparent from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein Fig. 1 illustrates diagrammatically a feeding device embodying the invention whereby the improved method may be efficiently practiced in association with a punch press;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the windings which are mounted within the material receiving plate, and

Fig. 3 is a detailed perspective view of the material feeding device disassociated from the punch press.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals have been employed to designate similar parts throughout the various figures, it will be observed that a material feeding device denoted generally by the numeral 10 is positioned on each side of and adjacent to a punch press indicated generally by the numeral 11. Each of the feeding devices 10 comprise a receiving means or plate 12 which is adapted to be supported by the punch press frame in any suitable manner (not shown)! It will be observed that the upper face of the receiving plate 12 is provldcd with a plurality of transverse slots 14 which are designed to receive a plurality of ,coils 15. A plurality of similar transverse slots 16 are provided in the upper surface of the receiving plate 12 at one end thereof which are designed to receive companion coils 17. Positioned immediately above the coils 17 is a clamping block or armature 19 which 18 normally scparated from the upper surface of the receiving plate 12 by means of coiled springs 20 ositioned at each corner of the block 19. hese springs 20 force the block 19 upwardly so as to present an opening between the block and the receiving plate 12 of suflicient width to permit the insertion therein of a strip of metallic stock 21. superimposing the slots 14 and the coils 15 therein is a fixed metallic plate onamature 23, the lower surface of which is separated from the upper surface of the receiving plate 12 by means of suitable pins'or supports 24 (Fig. 3). The fixed space between the armature 23 and the plate 12 is large enough to permit the entrance therein of the metallic stock 21 and thus it will be understood that under normal conditions the stock 21 may be readily inserted between the block 19 and the plate 12 and advanced along the upper sur ace of the plate 12.-

A commutating device denoted generally by the numeral 25 is secured to and rotatable with a shaft 26 of the punch press 11 and is connected with a polyphase current supplv 28 by means of brushes 29 which contact with conducting rings 30 carried by the commutator. A series of conductor segments 32 which are electrically connected with the rings 30 are adapted, upon rotation of the commutator 25, to intermittently engage a series "of companion brushes 33 (Fig. 1). These brushes 33 are electricall connected with the coils 17 through the me ium of conductors 34 and 35 and from the foregoing it will be obviousthat when the brushes 33 contact with the segments 32 current will produce a magnetic field which will attract the block 19 downwardly, as will hereinafter be more full described. A series of segments 37 similar to the segments 32 are adapted to engage a series of companion brushes 38 which are electrically connected to the coils 15 by means of conductors 39 and 40. It will be a parent that upon the engagement of the rushes 38 with the companion segments 37 a polyphase current from the source 28 will pass through the coils 15 and thereby produce a progression of magnetic fields across the upper surface of the receiving plate 12, this progression taking place from left to right (Figs. 1 and 3). In order to more clearly understand the arrangement of the coils 15 within the plate 12, a diagrammatic representation thereof is shown in Fig. 2 as well as a diagrammatic representation of the coils 17. The feeding device 10. positioned to the right of the press 11 (Fig. 1), receives the stock 21 after it has passed through the press and'cooperates with the other feeding device in advancing or feeding the stock.

In practicing the improved method of feeding strip material by using the above described apparatus, the strip of metallic stock 21 is first inserted between the armatures 19 and 23, and the feeding plate 12, and is moved forwardly until the advanced portion thereof rests beneath a ram 42 of the punch press 11. Rotation is then imparted to the punch press shaft 26 through the medium of a motor 43 or other suitable driving means and as the segments 32 of the commutator 25 are carried into contact with the companion brushes 33, a polyphase current will )e caused to flow through the coils 17 with the result that the armature or clamping block 19 will he suddenly urged downwardly into clamped relation with respect to the inserted strip 21. lmn'iediately subsequent to this clamping action, the tool carried at the. lower extremity of the ram 42 will be carried into engagement with the advanced portion of the strip 21 and upon the upward movement of the ram the segments 32 ments 32 will again contact with the brushes '33 and the segments 37 will be moved into contact with the companion brushes 38. This will cause a polyphase current to flow through the coils 15 and the progressive magnetic fields produced by the current flowing through the coils 15 will cause the stock 21 to be urged forwardly or to the right (Fig. 1). The period of contact of the brushes 38 with thesegments 37 is of sufficient duration to cause the stock 21 to be advanced a predetermined distance and at the end of this period of contact, the segments 32 will again contact with the brushes 33 so as to effect. the actuation of the clamping block 19. In this connection it will be observed that the brushes 33 and 38 which are shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1 may be adjustably positioned upon the periphery of their respective segments so that the contacting of the brushes 33 with the segments 32 may be adjusted in accordance with the period of contact of the brushes 38 and segments 37. In this way the magnetic fields may be successively produced by the coils 15 and 17 in accordance with a desired predetermined timed relation.

From the foregoing it is to be understood that this invention enables the feeding of metallic material in strip form to punch presses and other types of metal working machines in a very positive and accurate manner. Upon introducing the stock within the feeding means 10 it is only necessary for an operator to actuate the press 11 and through the action of the progressive magnetic fields produced within the feeding device 10, the stock will be continuously fed at the proper predetermined intervals to the machine. By merely adjusting the relative positions of the brushes 33 and the feeding and clamping operations may be adjusted in accordance with a predetermined timed relation and in response to the operation of the punch ress.

Although the invention has herein been described in connection with a particular type of punch press, it is to be understood that the invention is'capable of many other applications and should be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. The method of feeding material, which consists in subjecting material to progressive magnetic fields and at intervals retaining it in a predetermined position.

2. The method of feeding material, which consists in subjecting material to progressive magnetic fields produced by a polyphase current, and at a predetermined period applying magnetic force for retaining the material in a fixed position.

3. The method of feeding material, which consists in intermittently subjecting material to a progressive magnetic field to advance the material and then to another magnetic field for retaining the material in a fixed position, said fields being produced by polyphase currents from a common source.

4. The method of feeding material, which consists in intermittently advancing the material by subjecting it to progressive magnetic fields, and then magnetically retaining the advanced material in a fixed position.

5. The method of feeding material, which consists in subjecting the material to progressive magnetic fields for a predetermined period, and then retaining the material in a fixed advanced position for a predetermined length of time.

6. The method of feeding material to a material Working means, which consists in subjecting the material to progressive magnetic fields in timed relation with respect to the operation of the material Working means.

7. The method of feeding material to a material working means, which consists in subjecting the material to progressive magnetic fields, discontinuing the progressive magnetic fields and subjecting the material to a magnetic field for securing the work in a fixed position, said fields being produced in response to the operation of the material working means.

8. In material feeding apparatus, material receiving means, a source of electrical current supply, and means associated with the receiving means connectible with the source of current supply to produce progressive magnetic fields.

9. In material feeding apparatus, material receiving means, a source of polyphase current supply, and a winding associated with the receiving means connectible with the source of current supply to produce progressive magnetic fields.

10. In material feeding apparatus, material receiving means, a source of current supply, means associated with the receiving means connectible with the source of current supply to produce progressive magnetic fields. and means for magnetically retaining material in a fixed position.

11. In material feeding apparatus, material receiving means, a source of current supply, means associated with the receiving means connectible with the source of current su ply to produce progressive magnetic fie ds, and means for controlling the production of the magnetic fields.

12. In material feeding apparatus, material receiving mcans associated with a material working means, a source of electrical current supply, means connectible with the source of current supply for producing progressive magnetic fields in response to the operationof the material working means.

13. In material feeding apparatus, material receiving means, a source of current supply, means associated with the receiving means connectible with the source of current supply for producing pro ressive magnetic fields, and a commutating evice for controlv ling the production of the magnetic fields.

14. In material feeding apparatus, material receiving means, a source of polyphase current supply, a winding associated with the receiving means connectible with the source of current supply for producing progressive magnetic fields, a magnetic clamping chuck having conductors connectible with the source of current supply, and a commutating means for controlling the flow of current through the winding and through the chuck conductors.

15. In material feeding apparatus, means for receiving material in strip form adjacent a material Working means having a rotary element, a source of polyphase current supply, a winding associated with the receiving means and connectible with the source of current supply, a magnetic clamping member for retaining a strip of the material in fixed position, and a commutating device carried upon the rotary element of the material working mechanism for controlling the production of magnetic fields in timed relation with respect to the operation of the material working means.

16. The method of feeding material, which consists in advancing material by subjecting it to traveling magnetic fields produced by polyphase electric current, discontinuing the traveling magnetic fields, and simultaneously clamping the material in a fixed position for a predetermined period of time.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this th day of September, A. D.

EMERSON PUGH. 

